{"id":12036,"date":"2023-02-21T20:39:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T01:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/?p=12036"},"modified":"2023-02-21T20:39:40","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T01:39:40","slug":"5-possible-reasons-why-your-dishwasher-smells-and-what-to-do-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/5-possible-reasons-why-your-dishwasher-smells-and-what-to-do-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Possible Reasons Why Your Dishwasher Smells and What to Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We all enjoy the peace and quiet. When things start to go wrong, and you can hear funny or strange noises throughout your home, you become frustrated and annoyed. The same goes for your dishwasher!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nobody really thinks much about their dishwasher until it becomes a problem. You live every day with your fresh, clean dishes every time you run a cycle, but all of a sudden, you notice a horrible stench lingering in your kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sitting on the counter is your unwashed, stinking machine. The horrible smell is a result of a dishwasher that has gone awry, so it is important to evaluate a few possibilities and take quick action to fix your machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your dishwasher smells, and now you need to know how to fix it fast.&nbsp;Read on for more details about why a dishwasher can smell, as well as solutions to try if it does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Food Debris<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Food debris is one of the biggest contributors to a smelly dishwasher. Common culprits include grease, oils, and fatty food residue. Grease and oil can get trapped in the hoses, filters, and spray arms of the dishwasher. Food particles are also likely to collect in these same areas, which can lead to a buildup of bad odors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To combat this odor, it&#8217;s important to make sure that dishes are always rinsed off thoroughly before being loaded into the dishwasher. The filters and spray arms should also be regularly cleaned out to remove any particulate matter that may have been collected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, a dishwashing detergent with a strong cleaning ability should be used to cut through grease and oil and prevent residue from getting trapped in the dishwasher&#8217;s components. If the smell persists, call a <a href=\"https:\/\/caiapplianceservices.com.au\/\">dishwasher servicing<\/a> expert&nbsp;to do the dirty job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Clogged Garbage Disposal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Food particles and other debris can end up in the dishwasher, causing clogs and blockages. The blockage can trap food particles and old soap residue, leading to unpleasant dishwasher smells. You can inspect the garbage disposal by running the tap nearest the dishwasher and carefully removing any debris or food particles that are stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may be necessary to use a plunger or plumber\u2019s snake to further clear the garbage disposal. If the smell persists, you may need to clean the dishwasher drain and dishwasher detergent reservoir by filling the reservoir with vinegar and running the dishwasher on a rinse cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If these steps do not work, contact a professional to investigate other causes. There may be a broken seal, worn hose, or other problem that needs to be addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Standing Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Standing water occurs when water is left in the bottom or on the walls or fixtures of the dishwasher after a washing cycle is completed. If you notice standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher, it could be a sign of a clogged drain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Standing water in the dishwasher can cause bacteria and fungi to grow, leading to a bad smell. Additionally, standing water can damage the dishwasher and cause leaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To <a href=\"https:\/\/housemethod.com\/maintenance\/standing-water-in-dishwasher\/\">prevent standing water<\/a> from developing, you should empty and inspect the dishwasher after each use. If you find standing water, you should wipe it down with a soft cloth and then check for blockages in the plumbing or hoses. If these do not solve the issue, you should use a specially formulated cleaning product or vinegar mixed with hot water to break up any residue left by the standing water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, you should check to make sure that the temperature and pressure of the incoming water are correct. By taking these preventive measures, you can save yourself from the unpleasant smell of standing water in your dishwasher and keep it clean and odor free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Old Dishwasher<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your dishwasher is old, it may start to produce a bad smell over time. Over the years, your dishwasher&#8217;s interior can accumulate buildup from food debris and hard water, leading to a foul smell. Additionally, an old dishwasher may not have adequate drainage, leading to standing water and bacterial growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your dishwasher is old and producing a bad smell, it may be time to replace it. The new dishwasher will have modern features, better drainage, and will not have any buildup. If you cannot afford a new dishwasher, you can clean the old one thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clean the interior of the dishwasher. Run a cycle with a dishwasher cleaner to eliminate any bad smells and buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Hard Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/hard-water-and-soft-water\">Hard water<\/a> is water that contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. When hard water is used in your dishwasher, it can cause a buildup of minerals in the dishwasher&#8217;s interior, leading to a bad smell and other&nbsp;dishwasher problems. Additionally, hard water can cause mineral deposits to accumulate on your dishes, making them appear dirty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few steps you can take to combat the hard water problem. First, use a dishwasher rinse aid to help rinse the soap away and reduce film buildup. Second, use a dishwasher cleaner on a regular basis to help remove built-up mineral deposits from areas like the spray arms, filters, and door seals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, consider purchasing a water softener if the issue persists. A water softener can remove the minerals from the water before it enters the dishwasher and help reduce the unpleasant smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diagnosing and Fixing Common Causes of Dishwasher Smells Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By taking steps such as ensuring proper and timely loading, cleaning the drain and filters, and being aware of the growth of mildew and bacteria in the unit, you will be able to avoid and address dishwasher smells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the time to evaluate the source and make the appropriate changes to ensure a more pleasant experience with your dishwasher. With vigilance and other preventative maintenance steps, your dishwasher can remain a clean and functioning part of your kitchen. Consider calling a professional&nbsp;dishwasher repair company to assist in further maintenance if the problem persists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Did you find this post helpful? Check out our other posts&nbsp;for more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all enjoy the peace and quiet. When things start to go wrong, and you can hear funny or strange noises throughout your home, you become frustrated and annoyed. The same goes for your dishwasher! Nobody really thinks much about their dishwasher until it becomes a problem. You live every day with your fresh, clean [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12036"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12036"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12038,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12036\/revisions\/12038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}